In any case, some lesbian friends of mine accidentally introduced me to a great little café in Coyoacán that caters to those with specialized food needs. Formerly known as Basanti, Café-Patisserie “Ruta de la Seda” (“silk route”) opened in the spring of 2008 and claims to offer “organic flavors of the world.” While that might be a bit of a stretch (since only two or three continents were represented–one in the form of a plate of house-made samosas and accompanying mango lassi), I was impressed by what I saw on the menu and the few items we sampled while seated under the shade of large umbrellas in front of the cafe.

All of their baked goods are made from trigo integral (unbleached, whole grain flour) and many options are dairy free. In addition to containing no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or genetically modified ingredients, no animal fats are used in their doughs (only pure canola oil). All of their postres (38-40 pesos) are baked on the premises: the smell of fresh-baked almond cookies wafted out of the kitchen to where we were sitting outside, tempting our small group to order more than we already had.

Although not all of their products are organic (coffee being a major exception), all of their juices, fruits, vegetables, dairy-products, breads, and tortillas are certified as such.

There were an assortment of sandwiches and teas on the menu, but we stuck to coffee and dessert. They offer the standard upscale coffee choices, as well as some I had never seen, such as the delicious cubana style coffee, an espresso flavored delicately with caramelized sugar. All drinks could be made with soy milk, which is not something I have seen very often in Mexico City.

The menu warned us that not everything listed was always available, due to the seasonal nature of many of their ingredients, but I was still disappointed when the waitress told me that they weren’t offering the tarte tatin I had my eye on. She pointed out several alternatives, included one not on the menu, a dense and bittersweet chocolate cake (perhaps flourless…), served with dollops of blueberry puree and fresh blueberries on top.

I’m no connoisseur of pastries, but I must say, I was impressed by this cake. The generous slice was simple and rich, dense without being too dry. If the (no added sugar) blueberry puree was underwhelming, it was only in comparison to the intense flavor of the chocolate. Devouring it was a group effort.

What I liked most about this small café was that it had a refined, French atmosphere about it, despite its very Berkeley, hippie heart. The quality of the food and coffee we ordered was so high that I didn’t mind the peace-frog soap dish in the bathroom. Even with the organics, the prices were lower than many of the more touristy cafés in the center of Coyoacán. I suspect that some items on the menu are better than others, but it will be a pleasure to go back and sample more.

Ruta de la Seda is not a specifically lesbian establishment, but the waitress was pleased to tell us that they “don’t discriminate against anyone,” and I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for places off the beaten track in Coyoacán.

Café-Patisserie: Ruta de la Seda; located at the corner of Aurora and Pino in the Santa Catarina section of Coyoacán

The restaurant is decorated with colorful butterflies of all kinds that hang from the ceiling and walls all over the place (“Papalotl” means butterfly in nahuatl); it is well illuminated, plants can be seen everywhere and if you are looking for an open-air area you can pick a table at the little garden in the back or maybe, sit in front of the little fountain.

Variety here is the word. Whether you are vegetarian or not, and if you are used to comidas corridas, you have three choices depending on the weekday. Meat is always on the menu, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays fish is one of the big attractions. You They also serve combos that include a sandwich or baguette, salad, aguas frescas and delicious coffee. They offer a large variety of dressings that includes honey mustard (my favorite) or yoghurt. Items on the menu are from 50 to 70 pesos, but always well served.

If you come by yourself, the music is nice and magazines like Proceso or La Jornada can be found at the entrance. Regulars come from CU, including machas from Philosophy and Literature Department, which is considered the most macha spot–at least in our circle of friends. Highly recommendable.

Cafe Papalotl. Comercio y Administración, 40, Col. Copilco Universidad. Opens 8 am to 8 pm. You can reach the place by walking from Facultad de Economía as if you were going to the subway.

The exquisite tortas at La Barraca Valenciana are all served on small bolillos (rolls) and in addition to the usual sandwich choices (pierna… milanesa…), Barraca also has several vegetarian options. The champiñones torta, made with chopped small mushrooms–not the overwhelming volume of a portobello cap–is one worthy option; the vegetariano, made with with sautéed eggplant and deliciously melted Chihuahua cheese, is another, though a tad heavier. Both sandwiches are served with chimichurri, a simple Argentine sauce made from olive oil, garlic, and parsley, and the staff is happy to bring you some more on the side.

Although the vegetarian options are tempting, the best torta at La Barraca Valenciana is the calimar, simply a bolillo piled with chopped baby squid, cooked in chimichurri. As with any of the sandwiches here, you can supplement the flavors of the calimar with some of the chiles, cauliflower, onions, or small potatoes marinating in vinegar as a condiment on every table.

The tortas here are small–I couldn’t say light– but for those looking for more of an appetizer, I recommend the papas bravas, boiled potatoes served in a sauce made from chile and the same house-made mayonnaise. The passable micheladas are a nice accompaniment.

Although La Barraca Valenciana is not an explicitly lesbian establishment, its location in Coyoacán and proximity to the “Blue House” Frida Kahlo Museum make it a spot frequented by both chilanga and tourist machas alike. Stop next door at the window of local chain coffee shop El Jarocho for an afternoon coffee or hot chocolate.

Tortas at La Barraca Valenciana run between 30 and 60 pesos and are well worth it for the rich fusion of flavors that spans three continents.